A Modern History of Windham County, Connecticut; A Windham County Treasure Book Volume 1 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1920 edition. Excerpt: ...Spencer Beard, one year at South Killingly, seven and one-half years at Willimantic, total a service of nearly fifty-eight years for the churches of Eastern Connecticut. Mr. Beard never had enjoyed good health. He came to South Killingly almost as an invalid and it was not knowing whether he should stay more than six months. It was a constant battle most of the years with impaired digestion and uncertain nerves. South Killingly was at that time essentially an American community. No man ever had abler support than that which was enjoyed in the person of the two deacons and their families, Joseph C. Ayer and George W. Pike. In the same category belongs the faithful treasurer and scribe, Mr. Charles T. Preston, who I suspect has been the financial head of the church for nearly sixty years.. The methods which Mr. Beard employed were not modern. There was a preaching service on Sunday morning, followed by the Sunday school and Service for Prayer and Conference in the evening. There were frequent midweek services in schoolhouses and in the homes of the parish. Oiferings were taken each year for all the missionary objects of the Congregational Church. Occasionally there were meetings due to especial interest, but it was the method of Christian nurture which brought most of the men and women and boys and girls into the membership of the church. The fact that the membership is almost a negligible quantity today makes the following statement concerning its sons and daughters of more value. Mr. and Mrs. Beard soon discovered after reaching this field that their main eflort ought to be put forth for the boys and girls. Time fails to give in full the story of the way in which this church helped these boys and girls to "arise," but a catalog...